: : Hi all, I played guitar for 5 years, learnt tab and played a lot of chords, I moved to 4 string bass 3 years ago and have enjoyed success with it, mainly playing jazz, funk dance styles, in bands and jammimng with friends a lot. I recently went out to buy a new bass and ended up buying a 4 string fretless ? ? ? - it is a beauty of an instrument, only problem is I either slide and it sounds great, or I play all the old bass lines and it sounds like a normal bass, I need a few pointers as to how to begin on this new instrument, I have had it 2 days and need HELP! ! ! How do I approach a 4string fretless bass guitar? ? ?

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: Hey, it's o.k. that when you play the bass lines they sound like the normal bass lines. That means your playing it well. One of the biggest problems I have seen with people starting to play a fretless, is that they are sliding all over the freaking place. All of a sudden they feel every note needs to be slid. Ther are so many nuances to playing the fretless bass. Just keep playing your normal lines and you will develope a feel for your slides and vibrato. All the subtle things that make this a beautiful instrument. By the way, I just got Jacos birthday concert CD....holy Mac! Awsome.....peace......john

That Word of Mouth Band KILLS and especially on that recording. Not only is JP in fine form, but the whole concept of a big band ripping through modern arrangements with the heavy rhythm section improvising is a high water mark. Should have pointed the way for a whole generation of pop music. Too bad so many musicians and the rest of the industry missed the point.